Dak Prescott’s name continually comes up when the Dallas Cowboys are mentioned. How could it not be?
The two sides have been together since 2016. They’ve been through two playoff victories and been defeated five times. It’s also the last year of Prescott’s contract, as he will incur a $55.455 million cap charge — the largest in NFL history.
Could Prescott be better off elsewhere?
Dallas Cowboys News Today
Analyst Suggests Dak Prescott Could Win Super Bowl Elsewhere
NFL Network analyst Devin McCourty believes that Prescott should look at the careers of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Kurt Warner for guidance. Each team won a Super Bowl with a team that didn’t draft them and each had varying levels of success with their second team.
“When he sees those names, all of those guys went on to new teams and won Super Bowls,” McCourty said on Good Morning Football.
“Is this a unique situation? No doubt about it. Any time a team comes out and says, ‘Hey, we talked, we mutually agreed that it’s not going to work out,’ they’re basically saying, ‘Hey buddy, we’ve got one year left, and then we’re going to let you fly. We’re going to let you go wherever you want.'”
KEEP READING: Can Dak Prescott Win a Super Bowl Without Cowboys?
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell Suggests Cowboys Could Beef Up OL
The Cowboys have some holes to fill along the offensive line. It’s nothing that hasn’t been discussed before with the losses of center Tyler Biadasz and left tackle Tyron Smith. One ESPN analyst suggested how to address the two positions.
Bill Barnwell wrote a primer on the situation along the line, putting forth former Miami Dolphins and Cowboys offensive lineman Connor Williams as a name that could potentially sign. Williams is recovering from an ACL injury, however, and may not be immediately ready to play.
“Otherwise, the Cowboys are looking at options who need some molding,” Barnwell wrote. “Andrus Peat looked better at left tackle last season than he did for most of his second contract with the Saints at guard, so if Dallas wants to keep (Tyler) Smith at left guard, it could look toward Peat or (David) Bakhtiari at left tackle.
“Interior options would include vets Laken Tomlinson and Dalton Risner. This team should hit its offensive line depth in the draft, but in what might be Prescott’s final year with the team, fixing the line needs to be a win-now proposition.”
RELATED: Jerry Jones Ripped for Viral Photo
Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliott? That’s the Question for Dallas
The Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken reported that the Cowboys could be taking a look at both Dalvin Cook or a possible reunion with Ezekiel Elliott to address the running back position.
Elliott, 28, carried the ball 184 times for 642 yards and three touchdowns and caught 51 passes for 313 yards and two touchdowns.
Pro Football Network’s John Fields wrote about how bringing back Elliott could make sense for Dallas.
“Elliott seems to still have strong relationships within the franchise despite his release,” Fields wrote. “A reunion could be productive for both sides, as Elliott found himself in more of a secondary role with the New England Patriots last season.”
Cook, 28, meanwhile, played 15 games for the Jets last season, starting just one. He had 67 carries for 214 yards and no touchdowns, along with 15 receptions for 78 yards. His 2023 campaign was the least productive of his career in both rushing and receiving.
MORE: Does an Ezekiel Elliott Return Make Sense?
Dallas Could Select Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. at No. 24
Teams with holes to fill at other positions and have an expensive quarterback on an expiring deal could opt to allow their signal-caller to walk in free agency. The Minnesota Vikings decided on Kirk Cousins earlier this offseason, following his signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
Dallas could do the same with Prescott next year and possibly remedy the turnover by drafting their next quarterback at No. 24 this year. PFN’s Dallas Robinson suggests that the man for the job is 24-year-old Michael Penix Jr., who has the experience that he believes would slot right into the Cowboys’ plans.
“Of course, Penix is no slouch on the field,” Robinson wrote. “He took Washington to the College Football National Championship Game and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting last year after averaging 8.8 yards per attempt and tossing 36 touchdowns.
“Penix is already a talented downfield passer but will need to improve his intermediate game to mesh with Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb.”
CONTINUE READING: Dallas Robinson’s Latest Mock Draft
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.
